“We’re hoping to turn the entire year into one big celebration,” said Macomb Deputy County Executive Pam Lavers, who is leading the group.

The group plans to meet monthly to develop ideas for a bicentennial celebration. On Thursday, Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel -- who was born and raised in Macomb -- talked about the enormous changes the county has gone through in his lifetime, let alone over the past two centuries.

He also spoke of historic figures such as Babe Ruth visiting Mount Clemens during its bathhouse days. Joe Louis also owned a farm in Shelby Township.

Hackel said he would like to see those notable figures who “walked on the soil here in Macomb County” somehow recognized during the event.

After taking a group photograph, the planners settled in to brainstorm ideas with Maria Zardis of the county’s Planning & Economic Development Department jotting down the suggestions on an easel.

Lavers hopes to develop several smaller events for each month of 2018 and a couple of larger ones.

Other suggestions include parades, fireworks displays, historical re-enactors, and a souvenir booklet.

Lavers urged members to come up with a “major” event that the bicentennial could be centered around. She’s also accepting suggestions for a birthday cake.

As both Clinton Township and Mount Clemens are also celebrating 200th birthdays, officials in those communities are also planning their own celebrations, along with offering ideas for the county’s events.

Mount Clemens’ annual New Year’s Eve fireworks show on Dec. 31 will kick off that community’s historic anniversary, but Macomb County was invited to be part of the event.

“We want to be able to support each other instead of compete with each other,” Mount Clemens Mayor Barb Dempsey said.

Macomb County was formally established in 1818, the third county in the Michigan territory. It was named after General Alexander Macomb, who had “fought with distinction in the War of 1812” and served as a commander general in Detroit, according to the Centennial History of Mount Clemens, edited by Dorothy Magee.